Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction

by Robert W. Kellemen, Karole A. Edwards

The African American Church has always helped hurting and hardened people through the personal and corporate ministries of sustaining, healing, reconciling, and guiding. This four-dimensional model is the traditional and widely recognized pattern for understanding lay spiritual friendship, pastoral care, and professional Christian counseling. Beyond the Suffering seeks to uncover the buried treasure of wisdom about soul care and spiritual direction contained in the history of African American Christianity. Written with the blended perspectives of an African American woman and a Caucasian man, Beyond the Suffering offers an in-depth exploration of this rich tradition, showing Christians proven ways to help people find hope in the midst of deep pain and sorrow. Pastors, counselors, and lay people, as well as African Americans hungry for the legacy of their ancestors, will appreciate both the history and the practical applications found in this book.

Genres: History

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

My passion is to write, speak, and consult on Christ-centered comprehensive, compassioante, culturally-informed biblical counseling and spiritual formation that changes lives with Christ's changeless truth

My web site is: www.rpmministries.org

I have authored:

Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direciton

Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction

Sacred Friendships: Celebrating the Legacy of Women Heroes of the Faith

My wife, Shirley, and I have been married for 28 years. We have a married son, Josh (to Andi), and a young adult daughter, Marie, who is a college Senior.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but the main theses was a bit hard to follow. Some helpful insights and a chart on spiritual direction wLooking at African American soul care as a model for spiritual direction
Recounts brutality of slavery and importance of faith that reminded them they were image bearers and not merchandise.
Kept on by longing for their heavenly home and empowering eachother
Trials make us God dependent and other sensitive
Present resilience made possible by a savior who suffered with them
Combine worship and fellowship
Summarizes some of the history of the African American church

[Susan Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking at the cover of Beyond the Suffering, one might assume the book is only for African Americans. Not so. While it certainly tells the poignant story of slavery in America, it captures the essence of humanity when it is rooted in a profound, life giving faith in Jesus. It is a story of suffering, hope, grace, and deliverance. It paints a picture of a community that understood that shared sorrow is endurable sorrow. The stories told by the slaves remind all of us that there are always two stories, the earthly story of pain and grief and God's bigger story of redemption and glory. Beyond the Suffering is an inspiring narrative that demonstrates in a powerful way that it is possible to move past unbearable pain into the land of joyful anticipation. Beyond the Suffering is full of wisdom for today's soul care givers from the professional counselor to the spiritual friend, pastor, and lay care giver.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Suffering tells stirring narratives of heroes of black church history. With the built-in discussion guide, it is the perfect book for church small groups, youth and adult Sunday School, and for college, graduate school, and seminary courses on church history, multi-cultural ministry, Christian counseling, and American history. To learn more visit: www.rpmministries.org.